Cost of Living in Sao Tome - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $835 (excluding rent), and $1,085 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,157 (excluding rent), and $2,631 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.26 STN 428

$11.58 STN 244

$28.95 STN 611

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$45.66 STN 964

$28.54 STN 602

$57.1 STN 1,205

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$9.89 STN 209

$8.14 STN 172

$11.63 STN 246

Cappuccino

$1.72 STN 36.37

$1.15 STN 24.25

$2.29 STN 48.29

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.94 STN 40.94

$1.68 STN 35.55

$2.36 STN 49.78

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.18 STN 24.83

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.68 STN 35.56

$0.59 STN 12.50

$1.89 STN 39.87

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.88 STN 39.77

$1.40 STN 29.56

$2.10 STN 44.23

Milk (1 liter)

$1.32 STN 27.81

$0.91 STN 19.16

$1.70 STN 35.84

White Bread (500g)

$0.99 STN 20.91

$0.62 STN 13.12

$1.46 STN 30.75

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.25 STN 47.43

$1.69 STN 35.73

$2.81 STN 59.3

Eggs

$5.13 STN 108

$2.82 STN 59.6

$5.39 STN 114

Local Cheese (1kg)

$20.47 STN 432

$17.55 STN 370

$23.40 STN 494

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$20.53 STN 433

$17.60 STN 372

$23.47 STN 495

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$25.41 STN 536

$23.45 STN 495

$29.31 STN 619

Apples (1kg)

$4.60 STN 97.2

$3.45 STN 72.8

$5.76 STN 122

Banana (1kg)

$1.18 STN 24.98

Oranges (1kg)

$4.07 STN 85.9

$3.49 STN 73.6

$4.65 STN 98.2

Tomato (1kg)

$3.55 STN 74.8

$2.95 STN 62.3

$4.14 STN 87.4

Potato (1kg)

$2.62 STN 55.3

$2.33 STN 49.15

$2.91 STN 61.5

Onion (1kg)

$1.97 STN 41.69

$1.13 STN 23.82

$2.81 STN 59.4

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.71 STN 14.96

$0.60 STN 12.58

$0.83 STN 17.57

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.88 STN 39.60

$0.34 STN 7.18

$3.37 STN 71.2

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$2.25 STN 47.44

Wine (Bottle)

$8.36 STN 176

$7.25 STN 153

$9.47 STN 200

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.33 STN 28.05

$1.19 STN 25.03

$1.48 STN 31.29

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.29 STN 27.27

$0.92 STN 19.36

$1.60 STN 33.72

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.22 STN 25.69

$1.04 STN 21.96

$1.38 STN 29.22

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$14.22 STN 300

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.66 STN 35.02

$1.38 STN 29.15

$1.88 STN 39.64

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$22.9K STN 483.4K

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$35.31 STN 745

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$71.4 STN 1,507

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$37.54 STN 792

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$28.77 STN 607

Cinema Ticket

$21.05 STN 444

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$19.13 STN 404

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$350 STN 7,383

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$230 STN 4,853

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$655 STN 13.8K

$456 STN 9,620

$854 STN 18.0K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$529 STN 11.2K

$353 STN 7,444

$705 STN 14.9K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,892 STN 39.9K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,211 STN 25.6K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$269 STN 5,685

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

7.38

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update: January 13, 2026

Sao Tome Median Internet Speeds (Updated December 2025)

Mobile

Mbps

Fixed Broadband

Mbps

108

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

City tags:

🌍 Africa

Cost of Living in Sao Tome - Frequently Asked Questions

On balance, Sao Tome offers a relaxed lifestyle with approachable everyday costs, especially for local services and casual dining. Imported goods and resort-area prices can push numbers higher, but street food, markets, and fresh seafood keep daily expenses comfortable. Utilities and internet are typically reliable, though apartment quality drives variation. Housing ranges from compact city flats to seaside rentals, with proximity to the capital influencing demand. For newcomers, a phased stay helps you sense neighborhood rhythms and budgeting needs. Cost of Living in Sao Tome, Sao Tome And Principe serves as a useful baseline for planning longer stays. Tip: Map out a month of typical expenses before signing a lease or committing to a longer stay.

Daily life centers on a mix of local markets, casual dining, and accessible transport. Housing options tend to be modest and straightforward; rentals are often found via word of mouth, local listings, or short-term stays that let you compare neighborhoods. Food is rich and affordable when you shop at markets or fish docks, with a balance between cooking at home and picking up meals. Local transport includes shared taxis and small buses, while walking works well in the compact core. To keep errands manageable, build a small routine around banks, pharmacies, and post offices. Sao Tome, Sao Tome And Principe living cost influences how you pace purchases and plan your week. Tip: Start with a couple of weeks in one district to gauge fit.

Quality of life in Sao Tome blends climate, pace, and community to shape a budgeting framework. Build a simple, flexible plan around housing, food, transport, and occasional experiences. Favor neighborhoods with access to markets, reliable internet, and walkable errands; consider hillside areas for cooler evenings and ocean views, or coastal districts for shorter commutes. Seasonality affects energy use and groceries; plan for wetter periods when movement can be slower and some goods are less predictable. Save by cooking at home, buying seasonal produce, and using local coworking spaces for affordable workdays. Tip: Set a monthly flexible reserve for unexpected repairs or travel opportunities.